Department of Forestry Lao PDR. Inception report

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:en Ire le coopcra1ion 11ernalionale n rccherc:lw gronomique <Jur le cveloppemenl

Department of Forestry

Lao PDR

INCEPTION REPORT

CIRAD-For6t -

MIDAS - Burapha

Lao-ADB : Industrial Tree Plantation Project • Loan No. 1295 (SF)

August 1995

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ADS APB

AV

BME SOL DOF GIS GOL MCTPC MAF PAM PBP PCU PFP PPCU R&D STP TA

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS

Asian Development Bank Agricultural Promotion Bank Audio visual

Benefit Monitoring and Evaluation Bank of Lao

Department of Forestry

Geographic Information System Government of Lao

Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Project Administration Memorandum Pilot Block Plantation

Project Co-ordination Unit Pilot Farm Plantation

Provincial Project Co-ordination Unit Research and Development

Socio Technical Profile

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this Inception Report is to provide a framework for the implementation of the LAO-ADB Industrial Tree Plantation Project by the Project Inception Specialists assisting the Department of Forestry of Lao PDR

The objectives of the policy of the GOL relating to plantation forestry are summarised as follows;

• Protect the natural forest by conservation therefore requiring plantation timber to

partly replace natural timber.

• Stop shifting cultivation by establishing permanent occupations for rural people and

improving their economy.

• Improve farming productivity by integration with forestry through agro-forestry.

• Provide productive uses for degraded non agricultural land of which there is a large

area.

To supply economic timber as additional raw material to the wood processing industry.

The GOL developed the following measures in order to implement these new policies ;

• To stabilise most of the estimated 250,000 families practising shifting agriculture

through allocation of permanent locations. Integration of agriculture with forestry

through agroforestry promoted to improve productivity.

• Protect the remaining natural forest areas, primarily for preservation of catchment

values.

• Establish, conserve and regenerate barren land which includes, degraded forest

land, denuded forest land, grassland, and unstocked forest land. 2 million ha of forest land to be converted to plantation development including agroforestry options.

Following and supporting the GOL objectives the broad objectives of the project are;

• Re-establishment of tree cover on unstocked and degraded forest lands and

converting these to productive use,

• Production of wood for industrial use, construction materials and fuelwood from

industrial tree plantations; and

• Establishment of a policy and institutional framework for development of sustainable

industrial tree plantations.

The scope of this project is;

• Part A : Provision of a credit facility for smallholder farmers and private enterprises

to finance the establishment of tree plantations on about 9,000 ha of unstocked and degraded forest land. This will be executed by the Bank of Lao and thus not covered by this report.

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• Part B : Establishment of pilot block and pilot farmer plantations on 560 ha. This will be executed by the Department of Forestry.

• Part C : Improvement of about 60 km of plantation access roads. This will be executed by the Department of Forestry.

• Part D : Project management support including nursery improvement, public awareness programs, incremental staffing and logistical support. This will be executed by the Department of Forestry.

Referring to the Contract for Consultants SeNices between the Government of Lao PDR and CIRAD-For~t in association with MIDAS Agronomics Co. Ltd. and Burapha Development Consultants Ltd. which is dated 17 April 1995. The Implementation Consultants assistance is to be funded under the terms of ADB Loan No. 1295 - Lao (SF) : Industrial Tree Plantation Project. This Inception Report is prepared under the Terms of Reference of this contract during the first two months of the commencement of this Consultancy, which was effectively on 4 July 1995 with the arrival of the Team Leader in Vientiane.

This Inception Report describes: • The project background.

• A brief statement of the project status at the start of implementation phase.

• Mobilisation activities of the Implementation Consultant Specialists.

• The project Specialists' approach to the work programmes for implementation.

• A program of activity to provide for positive management and protection of the environment.

This report outlines the project implementation along three points;

• The sequence of activities that are required to carry out the project according to the Terms of Reference.

• Defines who will be required to do those activities.

• Provides a time schedule when those activities are be to done so as to ensure a co-ordinated and timely result.

Project implementation was started in late 1994 by PCU prior to the full mobilisation of the Implementation Consultants in July 1995. The implementation assistance to the Department of Forestry is scheduled through till the year 2000 just before project completion in early 2001. It comprises a total of 79 man months by five specialists,

three local and two international.

Following the arrival of the specialists the initial period has been used for familiarisation with the project areas and staff, to review documents and other information, to make financial and administrative arrangements for the consultancy, to devise a project operation schedule and approach to implementation, resulting in this report.

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The project plan is to establish the pilot block and pilot farmer plantation in the following sequence;

Year

Eilot BloQls

Eilot

Earme[ '2e[ Y:ea[

1995 49 49

1996 144 90 234

1997 ~z

230

211

Project 240 ha 320 ha 560 ha

The project planting activities will be located in Vientiane Prefecture, Vientiane Province, Bolikhamsay Province and Savannakhet Province.

The implementation priority in 1995 is to finalise the Pilot Block Plantation sites in two districts in each of the four provinces and prepare for the establishment operations of 1996. Thus the main activities for 1995 will be; confirmation of planting sites by Socio-Technical Profile, boundary survey, mapping, plantation design, review of nursery and plantation prescriptions, schedules and contracts and finally a number of training courses to strengthen the Provincial Project Co-ordination Units to start the 1996 nursery and

plantation operations.

The implementation approach chosen is to view the project operations as "management of the environment" in a broad sense to result in equitable, beneficial and sustainable result. It places importance on consultation with rural people and the various authorities,

promotes training in the suitable techniques required at all project levels, to demonstrate various plantation options as examples and to encourage participation in plantation activities by provision of extension services and promotions and finally to assist with the technical requirements of those wishing to get credit for planting

Terms of reference of the Implementation Specialists appear as Appendix 2 of this report. These Terms of have been summarised into nine project functions, they are; Nurseries, Pilot Block Plantations, Pilot Farmer Plantations, Extension, Roading, Benefit Monitoring and Evaluation, Environmental Monitoring, Training and Reporting. For each function there is a note on approach, a mention of any problem that may need to be addressed, then followed by a work program and also an implementation schedule chart.

The goals of the Project Co-ordination Unit are as follows ;

• The sustainable development of fast growing tree plantation systems based on

enterprises and farmers.

• Successful establishment and management of Pilot Block Plantation activities using

appropriate best practices.

• Improve the institutional capacity of the Project Co-ordination Unit and Provincial

Project ordination Units and capability of the staff working in the Project Co-ordination Unit and Provincial Project Co-Co-ordination Unit in order to support private plantation forestry in Lao PDR.

The Project Co-ordination Unit is responsible for the following tasks ;

• Preparation of selection c.-iteria for plantation sites, with special reference to

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• Preparation of tender documents for the establishment and management of Pilot Block Plantations.

• Planning and supervision of the implementation of Pilot Block Plantations using best

management practices and the results from Nam Suoung Forest Research Centre

• Design and implementation of extension programs to promote commercial tree

plantations.

• Select sites and farmers groups for the Pilot Farmer Plantation.

• Secure the sale of the products from the Pilot Block Plantations and Pilot Farmer

Plantations

• Recruit and local extension workers and surveyors and ensure the quality of the

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1

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Broad Project Objectives

The objectives of the policy of GOL relating to plantation forestry can be summarised as follows;

• Protect the natural forest by conservation therefore requiring plantation timber to partly

replace natural timber.

• Stop shifting cultivation by establishing pennanent occupations for rural people and

improving their economy.

• Improve farming productivity by integration with forestry through agro-forestry.

• Provide alternative productive uses for degraded non agricultural land.

• To supply economic timber as additional raw material to the wood processing industry.

The GOL developed the following measures in order to implement these new policies ;

• To stabilise most of the estimated 250,000 families practising shifting agriculture through

allocation of pennanent locations. Integration of agriculture with forestry through

agroforestry promoted to improve productivity.

• Protect the remaining natural forest areas, primarily for preservation of catchment

values.

• Establish, conserve and regenerate barren land which includes, degraded forest land,

denuded forest land, grassland, and unstacked forest land. 2 million ha of forest land to

be converted to plantation development including agroforestry options.

The broad objectives of the project follow and support the GOL objectives, they are ;

• Re-establishment of tree cover on unstocked and degraded forest lands and converting

these to productive use,

• Production of wood for industrial use, construction materials and fuelwood from industrial

tree plantations; and

• Establishment of a policy and institutional framework for development of sustainable

industrial tree plantations.

2.2 Project Scope

The project is located in the eight of the thirty four districts which comprise Vientiane

Prefecture, and the provinces of Vientiane, Bolikhamsay and Savannakhet. It's scope is

comprised of four parts ;

• Part A : Provision of a credit facility for smallholder farmers and private enterprises to

finance the establishment of industrial tree plantations on about 9,000 ha of unstocked and degraded forest land;

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2

• Part C : Improvement of about 60 km of plantation access roads; and

• Part D : Project management support including nursery improvement, public awareness programs, incremental staffing and logistical support.

The project must be implemented in the next five and one half years as implementation started in July 1995 and is scheduled to finish in early 2001. It is planned to allow two years for establishment of pilot plantations and the improvement of plantation access roads and five years for the establishment of plantations by the private sector, including farmers.

2.3 Development Vision

l

PBPs, PFBs and plantations established under the loan will use simple, economically viable methods which have proved effective elsewhere and are socially and environmentally friendly and gender equitable. The plantations must be properly established, using highest quality nursery stock. Simple but accurate records need to be kept. Within one year there will •

begin to be obvious confirmation which provenances are better for short rotations and what silvicultural operations need fine tuning to reduce costs or improve growth. A practical, operationally based R&D programme directed by plantation development requirements will produce results for use in the field.

Plantation forestry can be developed as an environment management vehicle to make a positive contribution to the economy and environment of the rural people. It will encourage them to plant trees as part of normal agricultural activities and to participate in the revitalisation of degraded unproductive areas which have very little use for food production. In the future such small scale activity by a large proportion of rural people will provide an economically important raw material resource for existing and future wood processing

industry within Lao PDR. ~e

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-The project also has a major aim of assisting a group of professionals in DOF to experience the commercial plantation sector through training and operations. They will have the responsibility of transferring this knowledge to others so the sector can grow by having a supply of capable personnel. Prior to this project commercial plantation technology has been

little developed. .

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Effective STP, BME and the monitoring of changes from the Baseline Environmental Survey by the project will give DOF ample opportunity to ensure that the plantation sector develops in an environmentally sustainable way and will provide early warning of any required policy or operational changes.

2.4 Executing Responsibilities

DOF and APB will be the executing agencies.

• APB will be responsible for Implementing Part A .

• DOF will be responsible for implementing Parts B, C and D of the project and also for project co-ordination and management through the PCU

_____

_______

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The goals of the Project Co-ordination_J,lnit are as follows ;

• The sustainable development of fast growing tree plantation systems based on

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3

• Successful establishment and management of Pilot Block Plantation activities using

appropriate best practices.

• Improve the institutional capacity of the Project Co-ordination Unit and Provincial Project

Co-ordination Units and capability of the staff working in the Project Co-ordination Unit and Provincial Project Co-ordination Unit in order to support private plantation forestry in Lao PDR.

The Project Co-ordination Unit is responsible for the following tasks ;

• Preparation of selection criteria for plantation sites, with special reference to

environmental considerations.

• Preparation of tender documents for the establishment and management of Pilot Block

Plantations.

• Planning and supervision of the implementation of Pilot Block Plantations using best

management practices and the results from Nam Suoung Forest Research Centre

• Design and implementation of extension programs to promote commercial tree

plantations.

• Select sites and farmers groups for the Pilot Farmer Plantation.

• Secure the sale of the products from the Pilot Block Plantations and Pilot Farmer

Plantations

• Recruit and local extension workers and surveyors and ensure the quality of the Benefit

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4

3. MOBILISATION

3.1 Implementation Status

In the absence of the Implementation Specialists due to delays in fielding of the team the ,... j.."·(,.,\

implementation activities for this project were started in late 1994 by PCU assisted by the

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)I.A Specialists. During the time prior to the arrival of the Implementation Specialists the following implementation activities had been achieved;

• Establishment of PCU and PPCU including staffing arrangements and training program for operational staff.

• Extension responsibilities have been assigned to 4 members of each PPCU. They have received preparatory training. Extension activities have been started.

• Some PBP sites were selected and plantings established on 5 of these averaging 8-10 ha each with a combined area of 49 ha planted in accordance with the plantation plans.

• Seedlings were produced for the PBPs including tree production training.

GIS mapping specialist training sessions will be arranged in November 1995. This program is supported by a grant from the New Zealand Government through it's Board of Trade.

3.2 Implementation Specialists

The Implementation Team is fully mobilised and the following activities carried out since;

• Plantation Operations Specialist was mobilised on 8 May 1995 to assist with the planting, of PBPs, drafted silvicultural prescriptions, PBP work schedules and draft works contracts.

• Team Leader was able to spend 9 days orientation starting 7 June 1995 and was fully mobilised on 4 July 1995. He has; visited the project areas, PBP areas and plantings of other farmers and enterprises, completed administration and financial claim arrangements for the consultantcy, made a report of project operations to PCU, made

contacts with BOL and APB, studied project documents, liaison with the TA Specialists r. and devised a project operation schedule.

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• Road Specialist mobilised on 1 July 1995. Contacts with MCTPC in Vientiane and at provincial and district levels, established roading design standards, site assessments,

access road descriptions, data collection, technical specifications for survey /design contract and a works schedule.

• Nursery Operations Specialist mobilised on 24 July 1995 with the assessments of tree quality in PBPs and nurseries available to supply the project.

• Environmental Specialist will begin to establish the Baseline Survey in about mid

December 1995.

The TOR for each of the Implementation Specialists appears in Appendix 2.

3.3 PCU and PPCU

The PCU is in a new division of DOF called Planning, Finance, and Co-operation Division headed by Deputy Director Mr. Silavanh. This division has five units, the Lao-ADS Plantation Project unit is headed by Mr. Xeme Samontry who is DOF Project Director and Director of the PCU. Mr. Oudomsack Vilaylack is Deputy Project Director . .

(16)

5

PCU and Implementation Team headquarters are located at the offices of DOF in Vientiane

City.

The PCU is organised into five Sections, each under the management of a Section Head, these are;

•

Monitoring and Evaluation Section

•

Training and Extension Section

•

Plantation Development Section

•

Administration Section

•

Marketing Section (this section is not functioning yet)

The project is to be implemented and administered on a provincial level by the PPCU. These units are based in the following provincial locations;

• Vientiane Prefecture Forestry Section office in Vientiane City, with some staff at the

Naxathong district office.

• Vientiane Province Forestry Section in Phonehong, and some staff at the Phonehong

and Toulakhom District offices.

• Bolikhamsay Province Agriculture and Forestry office in Paksane and some staff at

Bolikhamsay Forestry Section office in Paksane and at Phabath District office.

• Savannakhet Province Forestry Section at Savannakhet and some staff at the

Khanthabouly and Xaibouly District offices.

The PPCU is trained, assisted and supervised by the PCU.

Some PPCUs have experienced personnel transfers out to the traditional and more attractive positions which are sought, but to this time it has not been a serious problem.

3.4 Specialist Personnel and Work Programs

The project specialist Implementation Team fielded by the CIRAD - MIDAS - BURAPHA

consulting association comprises of five people. Their combined consultancy is allocated a

total of 79 man months. The Specialists are;

• Thomas Brummer ( 36 mths.) - Plantation Management Specialist I Team Leader

• Anthony Zola ( 7 mths.) - Environmental Specialist

• Khamsay Hongsouvanh ( 12 mths.)- Road Upgrade and Maintenance Specialist

• Keu Moua ( 14 mths.) - Plantation Operation Specialist

• Keo Nanthasack ( 1 O mths.) - Nursery Operation Specialist

A variation to the PAM is planned. It is proposed that the Plantation and Nursery Operation

Specialists be utilised for the 2 years of PBP and PFP establishment rather than have their time divided out over the next 6 years of the project. This is required because of the high

(17)

6

level of implementation activity at this time, during which they will assist PCU to train PPCU, new planters and nursery people in field operation work mainly. This is considered useful in view of the requirement to plant PBPs and PFBs in all 8 Districts in 1996 and 1997.

The following is the Specialist Team's proposed timing schedule for the project;

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(18)

7

4. APPROACH, PROBLEMS & WORK PROGRAMS

Schedules for the following work programs are contained in Appendix 1.

4.1 Priorities

Starting the Implementation Consultancy at the time the PCU is finishing the first year's planting means that work priorities of the Implementation Specialists will firstly focus on maintenance of existing plantings but the main work load will be next year's planting site selection with consequent; planting plans, work schedules, operation prescriptions, contracts, training and seedling production plans. All to be done in a timely fashion so that land preparation and subsequent operations will be on time for 1996 planting.

The Implementation Specialists will therefore concentrate on priority activities and follow through on these first then filling in other activities as need dictates.

After visiting the project operations and discussions with project personnel it is seen that the main priorities for this project for the next 12 months are;

• Maintain existing PBPs and protect them from cattle and fire.

• Confirm PBP and PFP sites with local people by STP process for rational land use. • Then get approval from district administration and provincial government as required. • Implement access roading survey and design in PBPs in the first year and do

construction over two years.

• Survey, demarcate and map planting areas for the 1996 planting season.

• Analyse PBP and PFP sites and then put to immediate use the appropriate species and silviculture practices that have proven effective locally and in other regions similar to the Lao site types to formulate plantation concept and design.

• Provide appropriate silviculture schedules for the requirements of the PBP and PFP planting plans.

• Strengthen and develop the extension ability of PPCU to recruit and then service farmers and rural community.

• Review and redraft nursery and plantation prescriptions and contracts as required. • On the job training on economic principles for commercial plantations. Training courses

for plantation establishment methods and nursery systems. • Production of high quality trees from selected nurseries.

• Training in appropriate management methods used in the commercial plantation sector. Particularly in the area of contract formulation, management, payments and control. • Plan and execute the first annual Environmental Baseline Survey.

The above will culminate in the planting of agreed PBPs and PFPs in 1996. Other priorities for established PBPs are ;

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8

• Develop management systems for PBPs including management plans.

4.2 Nurseries

The approach will be for PCU Plantation Development Unit to analyse and evaluate nursery operations including tree transport for the 1995 plantings with assistance of the specialists.

Followed by a review of production methods, transport details, contracts, growing schedules and training requirements. These will then be detailed and approved. A training program incorporating all the above details will be devised by Plantation Development Unit and specialist with assistance of the Training and Extension Unit and then will be delivered to each PPCU and their project nurseries in tum in January.

The nurseries will be contractors to provide quality seedlings on time, at agreed cost and transported to planting site as specified. The PPCU will be responsible for tree production supervision using the schedules and methods provided. The PCU Plantation Development Section and specialist will be responsible to carry out frequent visits of all nurseries during tree production and ensure targets and quality standards are met and to help solve the problems that will arise. The project will provide high quality seed .from Australia to the nurseries, other materials will be the contractors' responsibility.

Seedling quality is a problem in the early years of all plantation operations. Good seedlings are critical for successful plantations. Good training at the start of each growing season combined with very frequent prescribed nursery supervision by PPCU and continuing overview including corrective training and problem solving by Plantation Development Unit and specialist combined with demonstration of good plantations resulting from good seedlings will provide the best method of achieving quality seedlings.

The nursery target will be to produce a healthy robust seedling of 20-25 cm in height which is; uniform, free of malformation in stem and root system and has experienced no check in it's growth. Specifically that means the following practices must be implemented: raise or drain tree beds to prevent wet potting media that slows growth; introduce extensive culling at transplanting and before delivery; correct transplanting technique to eliminate the kinked root systems; on time delivery to avoid the oversize stems, curled tap roots and moribund trees; careful implementation of quality control standards in each nursery operation. Experience shows that real acceptance of the importance of seedling quality takes a few years it can not

be forced. ·

Transportation damage over difficult roads and handling damage through hand carrying over tracks impassable to vehicles has been an important factor in the 1995 plantings. This situation will be improved by improved access. Less remote or isolated planting sites are also being sought where possible.

After 3 years clonal propagation techniques from Plus Trees will be able to improve quality of planting stock. Preparation for it's introduction will be done by Plantation Development Section with assistance of Plantation Management Specialist.

Nursery Annual Activity Schedule Time Activity

Oct -Order seed,

-Select contract nurseries and discuss.

Dec -Analyse production methods and contracts with specialist. -Sign contracts.

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Jan-Feb March ( April-May June July Aug 9

-Devise training with Training Section and specialist.

-Train PPCU & nursery staff at province.

-Contractors prepare nurseries, receive supplies.

-Soil preparation & bag filling.

-Sow seed, transplant and tend seedlings.

-Transport to plantations.

-Transport replanting seedlings to plantations.

- Nurseries close.

4.3 Pilot Block Plantations

The rational for the use of the PBPs is that they are a long term trial to demonstrate the

effect of plantations on the environment, the rural people and their economy. They are also a

vehicle to gather local experience in the many aspects of plantation establishment,

maintenance, protection, harvesting, transport and marketing and to experiment in fine

tuning these to better fit local needs and conditions.

Planting will be in 2 districts in each of the 4 selected provincial areas; Vientiane Prefecture,

and the provinces of Vientiane, Bolikhamsay and Savannakhet. Each PBP will average 30

ha with a total planted area of 240 ha. The plantations will be established over 3 years 1995

to 1997. In 1995 there were 49 ha planted, In 1996 there will be about 144 ha planted leaving the balance of 47 ha to be completed in 1997.

Initial land search is being done to identify potential areas by the PPCU. The site will then be

assessed with an operational and economic appraisal followed by systematic STP by a combined team of PCU, PPCU, villagers and Plantation Management Specialist. If the results are positive then agreement of the district authorities and provincial government is sought by PPCU.

All plantation operations will be carried out on a contract basis. But contracts will preferably

be given to local village groups rather than to a contracting enterprise. Though this policy will

make PBP establishment more difficult to supervise it has a number of advantages; to give

villagers a stake in these plantations, to let them learn the methods of plantation operations

under the supervision of PPCU, to establish tree plantations at the farmer I villager level

rather than the large private enterprises as has happened in some other counties and also to

enrich the village economies.

Plantation establishment will take place in all districts in 1996. To ensure adequate quality in

all operations and in all areas the responsibility for daily operation supervision will be

delegated to PPCU. Preparation for planting will begin with the formulation of a plantation

plan for each PBP and an operations schedule by PCU assisted by the Plantation Management Specialist.

Then contracts for all operations that planting year will be assessed and amended, if

required, to enable the plan to be carried out. This will be the responsibility of PCU assisted by Plantations Opt:rations Specialist with invited input by PPCU. Prior to contract work starting there will be training of PCU by the Training and Extension Section assisted by

Administration Section and the Plantation Management and Operations Specialists. This will

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10

contractor supervision, contract administration and environmental protection. This training

will then be given to each PPCU in turn by Training and Extension Section with Plantation Development Section and assisted by the Operations and Plantation Management

Specialists.

Trials in PBPs shall be conducted to provide answers to operational requirements. Therefore

the research topic should be instigated by requirements of PCU and PPCU. It is not intended

that PBPs become research areas but that they will provide demonstrations of the result that various treatment options will give the grower. Practical trials will be planned by PCU and PPCU with the assistance of Plantation Management Specialist. The Nam Souang Silviculture Research Centre will be consulted at the trial formulation stage to provide

comment and input as required by their specialist staff. Trials will be fully described and

prescribed in the Trial Work Plan by the Plantation Development Section. Trials will be

implemented, measured and analysed according to the plan by PPCU, PCU, Nam Souang

and Plantation Management Specialist. The PCU Training and Extension Section will be responsible for preparing the trial results in a form suitable for dissemination through the

Extension Units of PPCU.

There are enough research results in Laos and experience in other areas with similar climatic and soil conditions to confidently begin plantation and nursery operations. But there

are some cases where an optimal solution requires trial work in the PBPs and PFPs. The

main ones are; fertiliser types and rates, land preparation methods, soil conservation

methods and intercropping.

There are also some basic topics that require systematic development. Among these are;

determining an economic and marketable species alternative to Eucalyptus camaldulensis,

fine tuning Eucalyptus provenance choices, tree improvement to increase yields, developing

methods of cuttings production, rapid provision of quality Lao based seed sources,

agro-forestry systems and livestock-agro-forestry systems. Some of these will require some further

input extra to the resource persons currently available to the project.

Environmental quality will be stressed in the establishment, maintenance and management

of PBPs. These will follow guidelines in Working Papers # 5 and 9. Assistance and training

will be provided to the PCU and PPCU to ensure that mitigation measures are strictly

enforced for all operations. An environmental consciousness will be developed.

Eucalyptus is capable of high yields and is a necessary arid logical choice for plantations but

it's 13eff0rmaQce after planting is dependant on three factors: soil cultivation, being weed free

until 4 m taJI and fertilising. Of these cultivation is the most important and needs to be done

be ore and also after planting. Without cultivation growth is disappointing. Hole digging

though of some benefit does not constitute cultivation. This will be incorporated in future

PCU I PPCU training and in PBP demonstrations.

Therefore an alternative growing regime must be developed for poor farmers to allow them

to participate in tree growing with a financial input level that is realistic for them. There are

others who's land type will not allow cultivation methods mentioned above, they also require development of an alternative to utilise these poor land types.

Fencing with barbed wire has been effectively used but is very expensive costing up to 30% of plantation establishment cost. Alternatives will be explored including using natural

materials won from the land clearing.

PBP plantation records have been made and will be kept up to date with copies in English

and Lao languages at PCU, and in Lao language at PPCU. This information is then

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11

Frequent field assessment of operations and advice on remedial action, if required, will be an important task for the specialists. In order to make plantation management and field supervision more effective the 4 provinces have been split into North and South Regions

with one of the Plantation Development Section officers responsible for each region.

Decree 169/PM requires Management Plans for all torest types including plantations. Implementation and development of an appropriate standard of Management Plan for all

PBPs will take a lead in setting an example for the private sector to follow. This is an

important task for Plantation Development Section and Monitoring and Evaluation Section.

Publicity of this activity is required by the Training and Extension Section.

Requirements of plantation maintenance, methods of harvesting and coppicing after harvest will also be demonstrated and refined.

Time Sept-Oct Nov Dec Dec-April April-May June July- Sept

PBP Annual Activity Schedule Activity

-Final weeding of previous plantings.

-Finalise PBP areas by STP, boundary survey, mapping.

-Prepare the planting plan for each PBP.

-Input from PCU /PPCU for trial topics and formulate needs. -Maintain fences, fire protection operations in previous

plantings.

-Review plantation prescriptions. contracts, procedures.

-Plan supervision & reporting procedures, schedules.

-Plan plantation training with Training Section and

specialists.

-Discuss trial plans.

-Training course for PPCU by PCU, Training Section with

specialists in 4 provinces.

-Contractors selection & signing.

-Update tending operations in the Planting Records.

-Land preparation.

-Detail trial plans and methods in Work Plan, train PPCU

and implement according to operation timing. -Measure and assess trials as required. -Cultivation.

-Fence construction.

-Distribute trial results through PPCU extension units.

-Planting according to soil moisture.

-Weeding, fertilising etc.

-Make planting and land preparation data in the Planting Records.

4.4 Pilot Fanner Plantations

No PFPs have been established to date. The project will be required to establish 40 PFPs

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will be established during 1996 and 1997. The 1996 plan calls for 90 ha with the balance of 230 ha in 1997.

The PPCU Extension Groups will visit farmers in the areas surrounding the PBPs promoting plantation forestry in general in a village meeting format. A farmer survey will be undertaken to classify farmers as willing, unsure and not willing to join the project and plant PFPs. During future visits the willing and unsure farmers will be concentrated on by discussing the project more fully with them and hopefully recruiting them. PPCU will chose participating farmers in consultation with village committees.

The project will supply the farmers seedlings and technical assistance, free of charge, on all aspects of tree growing, such as site selection, selection of species, site preparation, planting and maintenance techniques, harvesting methods, marketing, selective agro-forestry, as well as obtaining credit. But all other inputs will be the farmers responsibility. An agreement letter will be signed clearly specifying each party's responsibilities after the successful conclusion of a mini, purpose designed, farmer's STP.

Assessment of already established farmers' plantings by the specialists clearly demonstrates the concerns stated previously about Eucalyptus needing cultivation to a minimum depth of 25-30 cm. There is a low probability that farmers or others who can not adequately plough

will be able to repay loans taken to grow this crop. However growing of another biologically

suitable species for such circumstances like Acacia entails the risks of reduced marketability

and lower price. It is recommended that this project must stress information on the growth

requirements of Eucalyptus and carefully advise people of the likely yield outcome in their

particular circumstances. We must take care not to over-recommend this species. There will

be a search for alternatives to cultivation to solve this problem. It is critical to find a way to support the farmers in this.

A separate tree growing regime for smallholders who can only afford a lower level of

financial inputs will be investigated and developed. Using alternative species with a very low requirement for financial inputs will result in lower wood yields than a well established Eucalyptus plantation, but there is also a very low risk of uneconomic yields and there is the additional advantages of other products in addition to wood. This regime will need to be integrated with other farming activities.

In some districts it may be very difficult to find 40 willing farmer participants for various

reasons. Though participation in PFP has been focused on farmers they are not the only

rural groups to have access to land. PFP participation will also be encouraged in the

following target groups; pagodas, schools, hospitals, army, police, youth groups and other

institutions. These will be encouraged to plant part of their compounds which are unused and available, funds generated from plantations will be a valuable addition to their normal income and can support worthwhile community development. Having such groups taking the lead in PFP development will encourage local farmers to follow.

Local species will be investigated and plans made for supply of seedlings to rural community for planting around their farms, roads, houses and institutions .

Time Sept Oct-Nov

PFP Annual Activity Schedule Activity

Village meetings, farmer survey.

-Find participants, do STP, make agreement letter and sign. -PCU Plantation Section with Management and Plantation

Operation specialists to review methods and instructions.

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Dec Jan-April April-May June July-Oct 4.5 Extension 13

- PPCU Extension Units to be refreshed on extension, plantation techniques and STP in training course held in each province by the PCU Plantation, Monitoring and

Training Sections assisted by Management and Plantation Operation specialists.

-Technical advice. -Land preparation advice.

-Fence construction advice.

-Planting advice, time according weather condition. -Weeding, fertilising advice

Extension Groups have been formed by the assignment of four members from each PPCU to work as extension workers in selected districts to assist farmers and private enterprises to

establish, manage and market plantations. They are assisted by the representatives of the

Lao Revolutionary Youth Organisation and Lao Woman's' Union who are co-opted members

of PPCU. Adequate refresher training will be done in each province at the end of each year

prior to new plantations operations starting.

To become effective the PPCU Extension Units must get close to the farmers and the rural community. This will be achieved by frequent visits combined with good technical advice. The work for this section for this year will be; recruiting farmers and institutions to join the project and plant PFPs; STP for new PFPs and others wishing to plant plantation trees; continue with plantation promotion activities; seminars and workshops will promote plantations in general during 1996; and to continue training to strengthen the PPCU Extension Units particularly in STP, plantation economics, environmental protection, agro-pastoral-forestry systems, species' site needs, alternative wood products e.g. charcoal, fencing materials and poles.

Assistance in APB loan preparation will begin in mid 1996.

Species and silviculture revisions, discussed previously will be incorporated into the

extension message.

Time Sept

Oct-Nov

Dec

Extension Annual Activity Schedule Activity

-Village meetings to promote plantation forestry with AV equipment.

-Find participants, do STP.

-PCU Plantation Section with Management and Plantation Operation specialists to review methpds and instructions.

-Production of extension and publicity materials.

-Distribution of extension and publicity materials.

-PPCU Extension Units to be refreshed on extension,

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Jan-April April-May June July-Sept July-Oct July-Dec All year April-May 4.6 Roading 14

each province by PCU Plantation, Monitoring and Training Sections assisted by Management and Plantation Operation Specialists.

-Technical advice to farmers and enterprises.

-Land preparation advice.

-Fence construction advice.

-Planting advice.

-Preparation of posters, brochures, calendar, radio and newspaper items.

-Weeding, fertilising advice as required.

-Assistance in APB loan preparation.

-Data gathering and picture making.

-Seminar in Vientiane and Savannakhet, APB to join.

Preparation work is well under way. The following operations have been completed; data

collection, document review, site inspections of finalised PBPs, work descriptions and

preparation of works specifications. Co-ordination and responsibilities between DOF, the

MCTPC and it's provincial offices has been clarified by discussions and official documents.

In the PCU the roading operations will be the responsibility of the Plantation Development Section assisted by the Road Specialist.

Some minor variations to "Special Roads" standards have been proposed to MCTPC on the basis that actual traffic volumes are clearly predicted to be very much lower during the whole life of the roads than the "Special Roads" standards are designed for. Thus saving 15 - 20% of expenditure is fully justified. These reductions in standards will result in minor width reductions and vehicle speed reduction, there is no reduction in quality, strength or road life.

The MCTPC has agreed to this standards reduction only for the branch roads that will not be through roads in the future.

Direct road access to the PBPs will require about 20-30 km of new construction and rehabilitation. This is because the PBPs are close to well formed roads and in some cases require no additional roading.

The Roading Specialist advises that the PAM requirement for an agreement between

MCTPC and MAF is fulfilled in essence by MCTPC Letter # 2226 to MAF and Cabinet

Decree # 43. These clearly state that: the access roads are "Special Roads" and as such the design, supervision, building and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the builder; the

provincial MCTPC will comment on design and will assist in selection of contractors; the

provincial MCTPCs are instructed to co-operate with Part C of this project.

For the proposed new PBPs the inspections. works descriptions etc. for these are ready to

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Roading Schedule

Time Activity

July-Sept -Data collection, document review.

-Work identification and description.

Aug-Oct -Preparation of technical specs.

Oct-Nov -Find survey & design contractors.

Nov-Dec -Supervise survey & design operations.

Jan -DCTPC approval of design.

-Prepare construction contracts and budgets.

Jan-March -Bids I award of construction contracts.

March -Training PCU.

March-May -Supervise construction.

May -Supervise maintenance.

Oct-Nov -Supervise construction.

-Training PCU.

- Supervise maintenance.

Progress reports will be made at the end of; Oct, Dec1995 and March, May, and November 1996.

4.7 Benefit Monitoring and Evaluation

BME methodology including STP has been implemented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Section of PCU with support of the TA Specialist. Training and motivation are at good levels resulting in this notably strong section of PCU.

The Team Leader has been briefed on BME activities and has assisted in establishing plantation evaluation and sampling techniques with the section for BME.

STP process will be carried out for each proposed plantation and will form the baseline for

future comparisons with BME to determine if the plantation project in particular and the

plantation activities in general are resulting in benefit or otherwise to the participants and those who do not participate. It is clearly intended that the plantation process be controlled to result in an economically viable and suitable activity that is beneficial to the rural population in general, be gender equitable and guard against benefiting a select few while imposing difficulties or hardship to others.

The STP process also aims to stop the possibility that plantation activities are used by some people as a means of claiming control of large areas of land and also to ensure that the production of food has a higher priority and is not disturbed. The STP is intended to provide relevant information for CPU recommendation to APB for credit. And finally to be used as an

instrument to assist in development, education, training and management for all parties.

The PCU Plantation Development Section assisted by Plantation Management Specialist will

Department of Forestry Lao PDR. Inception report